What percentage of the population has vitiligo?

Question: What percentage of the population has vitiligo?

Answer: Worldwide, it is estimated that between 0.5% and 2% of the population has vitiligo with most studies and resources stating 1%. Vitiligo tends to first appear in patients around 20 years of age but can start at any age and is a lifelong condition. Therefore, the percentage of older populations with vitiligo is higher than other age groups. Vitiligo occurs equally across race and gender.

Some studies indicate that vitiligo percentages increase in areas closer to the equator and in Africa. However, because symptoms are more noticeable in people with darker skin, they may be more likely to report symptoms and seek treatment than those with fair skin who can more easily cover up the patches.